New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-12-29
TIE DEMOCRATIC PERPLEXITIES.
SEVERAL OF THE PARTY'S LEADERS IN TowN-9o

SEVERAL OF THE PARTY'S LEADERS IN TowN-9Os-
SIP WHICH THEIR PRESENCE EE HAS STARTED.
with such prominent Democrats in the city Con
gresham samuel J. Randall, tho leader of the pro
tcctlve tariff element of his party Senator 4. T. Cor
man. chairman Of the Democratic National Committee,
and also protcctlonSt Congressman W. L. scott, of
Erie: Secretary Endicott Secretary Whitney, Con
gresham Stahlnochor and Chief Clerk YoumanS OF the
Treasury department. political gossip ran high and
upon the plane of national affairs. The most mpor-
iant piece of Information which was allowed TO slip
ont the fact that President Cleveland IS already
aware that he VIII be defeated In the House by tho
passage Of a measure 10 abolish the internal revenue
tobacco. and that he is using lis utmost endcavors
to pack the avs and Means Committee so as to save
himself from being completely ignored in his recon-
mcndati0ns on the tariff. There fifty, and pos
sibly sixty. Democrats who prepared to vote for
the removal of the tobacco tax and the internal revenue
license system. Mr. Randall is at present entirely
rcticcn, but IS preparing To sicak in no uncertain
tones when the proper time comes. The President ;
elfcrence in The makeup of the House committees
Is regarded alone by his wing Of his party, but by
the great majority of party leaders. a, unwanantahe'
withou, precedent, and dangerously auioca'ic. AS
one Of them cxI-reSs,s IT, Th, President + rot Dem
ocrat. but an autocra7 1t IS understood that Mr..
Eandall'S programme concmratcs III" removal e the
tobacco tax. which would stop SO 100000 Of revenue.
the reduction of the whiSkey tax 40 cents POSSIBLY
5Ol. which would cut off S3s coo Geo more. the ="
nioval Of all taA on liquors used for medicinal pur'
poses or the mechanic arts the on of the tax on
fruit spirits aud the abolition Of Government licenses
To liquor and tobacco dealers These reductions would
amount I'm the aggregate to ahout T1oOOOOOO 1h'lr
are some articles the list OF custom, taxes which
could be reduced as 10 cut oil possibly S-ooOoO'o
without putting anything on the frce list. II MIR.
Randall has hi, way It is probable that no tarh VIII
be lowered below the point Of incidental protection
The Democrat, of his school somewhat disturbed
over the Republican attitude on the liquor tax
Among other points talked abou hero ycsteiday was
the coIuro>ilon of the Ways and Means ton'..i &c.
II is said daring ia" famous conferences at l'd
Top The President little u 10 Intimate o hs
purposes regarding l., me>>aE, Ind. cd speaker ar
Isles pac lie Spscch talug the chair al the Olcn-
ing OF Congress. Wa, reflection of IN, policy hc
thought III, Pres dent would advocate. lie was sur
lions of The message. lie has been moro surprised
since hy tn Presidents almost btrary demand that
william l. scott should bc made chairman OF tn VIZ
and Means Committee. In the conferences al E,d
Top Mr. scott prof''SScd steadily and ardNuily dc-
sire not to he appointed 10 any rharnan'hr I'M
mcdiacly after ihr prcsGcui' message was made .
lie lac a>,rd 10 lc mals tn head of the Y avs ana
Ne7,S Committee and the speaker has been ri>mal cd
10 find this request backed by th' President III mas
finally ropl ed that H. dos not believe MI scott cala
10 OF 'inc the position that he cannot alpon h m
and neither can h. throw over Roger Q. Nils Mr..
scott + said furious over the reply 81
carlisle and To be urging The President 10 u>' the mn
fore, of The Adm ustra,ion 10 force compliance Win
D. Wicb